INTRODUCTION

And all, the People shall hear and fear and do no more presumptuously.

DEUT. xvii. 13.

EVERY civilized Nation has enacted penal Laws to restram Crimes, and protect Innocence and honest Industry: Of all the Laws framed for this Purpose, none are more wise and equitable than those enjoined to the Republic of the Israelites. One great Design of all which, is summ'd up in the Motto: To warn Men, against bold and presumptuous Crimes by seasonable and striking Examples of Punishment: And happy were it for the several Classes of People in this our Israel, if all who see or hear of these sad and shameful Examples of Punishment would so fear to offend God, or injure Man, as no more to transgress presumptuosly, and go on in a hardened Course of the prevailing Sins of the Times, which are the Reproach of human Nature, much more of a Christian Land; Such as, common and profane Cursing and Swearing, Drunkenness, Lewdness, the utter Neglect and more than brutal Comtempt of their Duty to their Creator and Preserver: Especially the Profanation of his Holy-Day, claimed and devoted by himself for promating his own Glory, and the Happiness of all Mankind; the Neglect of a due Celebration of which, is the Rood of all Irreligion and Iniquity, as long Experience has convinced every sober Man who regards the Peace, the Safety and Happiness of Society.

Pity it is therefore, that the civil Masistrates, the Officers and Ministers of Justice, Decency and Order, in their several Districts both civil and ecclefistical, do no labour to lop these early Shoots and Excrescences of Impiety and Immorality in the But; by a diligent enforcing of the lesser penal Laws, in due Time: This, instead of an Instance of Severity, would appear an Act of great Mercy to the Young and Ignorant, the thoughtless and unwary Offenders, who by a timely Check, and a moderate Penalty, might be rescued from greater Evils, and restored to the Discipline of regular Morals, and a good Life.